### 215

You climb up and share the bench seat with the driver. He presents his palm and you press a Gold Crown into it. He snatches the coin to his eyes and scrutinises it in the lantern light.

‘Mmm, a Sommlending Crown,’ he mutters. ‘Long time since I’ve seen one. Good gold these are. Pure gold. Better than silver Ren any day.’

He tucks the crown into his waistcoat pocket and whips the reins again. You command the horses to go on and at once they respond to your silent command.

Frequent bolts of lightning illuminate the muddy highway as you travel the short distance to Dwala’s south gate. The driver pulls his team to a halt a hundred yards short of the gate and you climb down onto the rutted highway. The instant you are off the wagon, he whips the reins and urges his horses forward.

As you walk towards the gate in the pouring rain, you observe a guard step out of his sentry post and talk briefly with the driver before allowing his wagon to enter. When you reach the gate shortly after the wagon has passed through, the guard steps forward and demands that you pay the night entry toll. Passage in and out of the city is free during the hours of daylight, but after dark a toll of 20 Ren (2 Gold Crowns) is imposed on all non-residents wishing to enter, and 10 Ren (1 Gold Crown) on all those wanting to leave.

If you choose to pay the entry toll, turn to 156.

If you do not, or if you do not have sufficient Gold Crowns to do so, turn to 94.